S1 E5: Traders and Traitors

*THIS IS HISTORY — THE TUDORS*

*Episode 5: Traders and Traitors*

An emperor loses a leg. England gets a headache.

In 1493, surgeons saw off the gangrenous leg of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. It is a brutal, miraculous operation. The emperor survives, briefly. Then comes a funeral, a court gathering, and a diplomatic ripple that rolls all the way to Tudor England.

There, Henry VII has bigger problems than imperial orthopaedics. Pretender Perkin Warbeck attends Emperor Frederick’s funeral and is welcomed as England’s king-in-waiting. In the pews, Warbeck collects royal patrons, noble endorsements and invitations to Europe's most exclusive parties.

Nothing attracts support quite like almost being king.

Henry responds with spies, executions and a trade war. His economic weapon backfires, leaving English merchants furious and London in disorder. Markets wobble. Tempers fray. And somewhere across the sea, a fantasy is beginning to acquire ships.

–

Don't forget to catch this week's bonus episode where Dan gets knee-deep into the remarkable amputation of Emperor Frederick III — a moment that went down in medical and artistic history. Plus, we get into the economy stupid: Dan gives a primer on how Henry VII’s ill-fated trade war really rankled English merchants.

That’s all for you to discover on our Patreon: patreon.com/c/Thisishistory

–

A Sony Music Entertainment production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com

Learn more about your ad choices.

Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

–

Presented by Dan Jones

Sound Design - Amber Devereux

Producer - Alan Weedon

Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman

Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock

Executive Producer - Louisa Field

Executive Producer - Dan Jones

Production Manager - Ethan Sills

Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan

Head of Content - Chris Skinner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices